First, we can mention the elaborate work, "Chronology of Hue's Press History (1913-2020)," compiled by a group of authors led by researcher and journalist Duong Phuoc Thu. The book was published by Song Huong Magazine and Thuan Hoa Publishing House on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Revolutionary Press Day on June 21st. This is a meticulous work compiled by the group of authors after more than 15 years of research, collection, and reference to previous press works, comparing various sources of information, primarily through access to real artifacts – more than 315 newspapers of various types published in Hue (during the period 1913-2020).

“The chronicle of Hue's press history is a part of Hue's social history. We believe that to understand Hue's press history, one must not only know the content, nature, direction, and ideology of various types of newspapers and their relationships with different social strata, but also their origins. This is the aspiration and the core meaning that the book 'Chronicle of Hue's Press History (1913 - 2020)' aims for. However, with the passage of time, the passing of the past, the harsh climate, the years of war for national defense, and the difficulty in finding artifacts, there are certainly shortcomings in the compilation process. We hope the book will contribute a small part to proving the idea that 'Hue was once the press center of Central Vietnam and the whole country'," said journalist Duong Phuoc Thu, the book's editor-in-chief.

The second book is "Following the Golden Footsteps" by journalist Bui Ngoc Long (Thanh Nien Newspaper). The book compiles the author's long-running series of articles over the years on the cultural heritage of Hue, including elaborate series such as: "The Feng Shui of the Hue Imperial City" (awarded the B Prize at the 5th Hai Trieu Journalism Awards, 2024); "Searching for Traces of the Twenty Scenic Views of the Imperial Capital"; "Following the Footsteps of the Tay Son Dynasty"; "Stories of the Imperial Physicians of the Nguyen Dynasty"; "The Secrets of Minh Mang Tonic"; "Sacred Mountains"; "A Fortunate Research into the Restoration of Can Chanh Palace"; and "The Essence of Hue Martial Arts". The book, over 300 pages thick, is published by Thuan Hoa Publishing House and is scheduled to be released on June 21st.

Around the same time, journalist Pham Huu Thu (former Head of the News Department at the Vietnam Television Center in Hue) just released his book "Sitting and Recalling" (published by Thuan Hoa Publishing House), which recounts historical stories about the land and people of Hue that the author had the opportunity to meet, witness, and record.

Unlike literary works by writers, books by journalists feature events, characters, places, and landmarks that are all "real people and real events." Through the lens of a journalist, these stories are conveyed with a sense of timeliness, prompting a call to action to address pressing social issues. This is a unique aspect that readers will find in books by journalists.

"Each writer has their own writing style with diverse approaches and genres (notes, essays, prose, miscellaneous writings, travelogues, scholarly works, etc.), but they all share a deep love for Hue, their homeland and birthplace," commented Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Hai Trung, Deputy Director of the Hue Imperial City Relics Conservation Center.

Ben Ngu

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/van-hoa-nghe-thuat/nhung-cuon-sach-y-nghia-154397.html